MYKV: Lee Swee Keong

OUR VALLEY HAS POTHOLES OF GOODIES AND LEE SWEE KEONG TELLS US WHERE HE DIGS.

For those who dwell amongst the KL arts scene, you'd know Swee Keong as one of the best butoh dancers Malaysia has to offer. You might remember him as the green snake in Lady White Snake, a role he carried for 9 years and running. Or perhaps you might have seen him last month at Butoh Jam! Well, we managed to catch up with him, and he told us of his love in the valley.

Favourite Makan Spots

I really like the Purple Cane Restaurant in Shaw Parade. They serve a good variety of unique vegetarian meals - they even use tealeaves to cook certain dishes! I also like the Chinese tong sui stall in Taman Muda Cheras next to the Esso station. I like hot soup because it makes my stomach warm! I like green bean and lotus seed soup, some times bubuh cacah too.

Favourite Places To Shop

I shop at the Purple Cane Tea House in Shaw Parade too! I just love the environment, atmosphere; the peace and quiet. I normally get Chinese tea leaves, pots, books and other cute tea accessories for my collection!

Places To Go Out

I mostly stay within the circles of KLPac and The Annexe @ Central Market. I love watching dance, theatre and music performances, and exhibitions. Plus I always bump into one of my friends whenever I go to one of these places!

Favourite Malaysian Performer

I love Steve Goh! He's this contemporary dancer with a really strong ballet background. This gives him the added advantage of extremely good techniques and an apt body shape. He also has a very strong stage appearance, your attention can't help but to gravitate towards his direction. He's the definition of a real dancer.

Pastime

I normally unwind reading books on spiritual issues and psychology. I also like sitting and lying down for an hour of meditation and yoga to create and develop a sense of awareness, which adds an important layer of discipline in butoh. But I must admit I also like house keeping - when my home is clean, my heart is too.

What do you think is the most attractive neighbourhood to live in?

I think anywhere that's clean, quiet, with neighbours instead of mere inhabitants of the area would be a nice place to live. With people who know how to park their car properly and do so considerately, who know how to throw out their rubbish and say, "Good morning to you." I have no idea if there's a place like this in KL!

Which part of the Klang Valley holds the fondest memories for you?

Pudu! It's very down to earth, where people genuinely work very hard for their life and the country. I like that it holds historical aesthetical value in KL. I grew up there. I remember Yu Yi, this very famous departmental store, which used to screen old Taiwan movies featuring stars like Jackie Chan's wife, Lin Feng-Jio. There were also lots of old nenek selling their own organic plants - they use their own urine and poop as fertilizers! Then there were always rotten vegetables at the roadside. Sigh, my childhood!

How would you describe KL-ites?

Unfriendly!

If you were mayor of KL, what's the first thing you would do?

If I were the mayor, I'd convert many heritage buildings for the use of our Arts scene. There are too many fish in our sea - so we need to expand our sea!

What makes KL so KL?

The food! The different races bustling under one mamak store roof! The jams! The dirty public toilets everywhere, even in our KLCC, our pride and joy! I love KL!

Text Claudia Low

Photo Shermen Mukhtar

Article taken from KLue Magazine September 2008, Issue 119